City councillors paid a total of €506,000 last year

Galway City councillors were paid more than €500,000 in salaries and expenses in 2018, according to new figures from the local authority.

Fine Gael’s Padraig Conneely was the top claimant for the year, with a total of €37,910 – which includes claims of almost €10,000 for training and conferences held in Cavan, Donegal, Belfast, Monaghan, Wexford, Kerry and Cork, amongst other locations.

His claim was higher than those of his party colleague Pearce Flannery and Labour’s Niall McNelis – the 2018 figures include six-month terms as mayor for both of those councillors (the Mayoral election is usually held in June of each year).

Mayors are provided with a separate allowance of €20,000 (which is subject to taxation) to cover expenses incurred during their time holding the chain of office, while the Deputy Mayor is entitled to a €6,000 allowance.
This is a preview only. For the full breakdown of payments and expenses for each of the 18 city councillors, see this week’s Galway City Tribune. Buy a digital edition of this week’s paper here, or download the app for Android or iPhone.